Hurricane Irma projected to make landfall in Middle and Upper Keys

LEAVE NOW HURRICANE IRMA’S FORECASTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE MIDDLE AND UPPER KEYS, LIFE THEATENING STORM SURGE AND WIND IS FORECASTED

As of 5 a.m., Hurricane Irma is 55 miles NW of Great Inagua Island and about 495 miles southeast of Miami. It is a Category 4 storm with winds of 155 mph and moving west-northwest at 16 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend 185 miles from the center of the storm.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive in the Keys late morning or early afternoon on Saturday, hurricane force winds expected in the early morning hours of Sunday with tropical storm force winds subsiding Sunday night.

Forecasts are calling for the storm to cross over the Middle or Upper Keys.

“Make no mistake, this storm is going to change lives throughout Florida,” said Marathon City Manager Chuck Lindsey. “Our public service and emergency management team have prepared our community to the best of our collective abilities. Our focus now remains on the safety of life. For those of who have evacuated, ‘Thank you for being a part of the solution’ For those of you who haven’t evacuated, the time to leave is now. If you choose to stay, your life and that of your family is your responsibility and yours alone, with the facts we currently have.”

There is a high potential for sustained hurricane force winds throughout the Keys — with higher gusts — which are LIFE THREATENING. There is an EXTREME potential for LIFE THREATENING STORM SURGE predicted upwards of 10 feet or more depending on the storm track and intensity — in certain areas of the Keys.

Officials are warning residents there are no local shelters and that it may take extended periods of time to restore essential services such as water and power.

Post-storm, Monroe County Emergency Management has made the re-opening of the airports their highest priority.

Key West Transit continues to evacuate residents. Buses will be clearly marked “hurricane evacuation” on the destination boards and pick up riders along US1. Evacuees are asked to go to the nearest bus stop. Animals are allowed on the bus if they’re controlled or caged. Weapons and alcohol are prohibited on the buses.